Last Friday (June 22), a fair amount of grade 5 students all across Lacombe County had the opportunity to learn about the different types of practices and methods to keep safe on a farm environment.

The Lacombe County Farm Safety Day was held at the Lacombe County Operations building, with about 250 students in attendance.

Various volunteering professionals taught students how to safely deal with horses, fire, ATVs, grain, mowing equipment and heavy equipment.

In one area of the event, the Lacombe Fire Department brought in firetrucks and crew members to showcase and explain their equipment while allowing students to practice spraying water at a small target a fair distance away. 

Helping organize the event that day was Assistant Agricultural Fieldman, Jalene Makus, who said the event was designed to be as interactive as possible so the kids can have fun while they gain important hands-on experience.  

When asked about the importance of these types of events, she brought up the horrific incident in 2015 that resulted in the death of three young sisters on a farm.

"A couple years back, there were some girls who drowned in some grain, and I think that really sparked it for us to start this event. We don't like to see fatalities at any time... we thought that this would be a good opportunity to teach the kids so that things like that don't happen."

In total, 14 groups of students came to the event and seemed to have enjoyed the demonstrations and activities organized for them.